Co-dependent or Selfless?

This post was first shared here on the Biblical Counseling Coalition blog in 2012.

Co-dependent or Selfless?

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus… Phil. 2:1-5 (NASB)

In the mid-1980’s the term “co-dependency” began to be used in various self-help groups to describe behavior patterns in people who were in relationships with self- destructive people. Typically, their spouses or family members were addicts or alcoholics who were irresponsible and the “co-dependent” stepped in to shield them from consequences or had been protecting them from harm.

I do not think it is godly to shield someone from the consequences of their actions; a person who is involved in sinful behaviors needs to repent and change for the glory of God! I also agree that some people can take “love” too far and become idolaters of others. These people too need a balanced view of what loving one another looks like.

Ed Welch calls co-dependency behaviors “fear of man” in his books (When People are Big and God is Small and What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care?) I agree with his conclusions on the matter. There are people, more women than men who desire the approval of others so deeply that they are willing to sin to get it.

My concern is centered on the thinking that includes the biblical roles of mothers and wives as being “co-dependent.” The balanced view will always be found in Scripture, and for the Christian that is our ultimate authority.

Oneness is not co-dependency

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 (NASB)

Adam found that he was incomplete without a woman. God created the woman as the only suitable helper for a man, she is his counterpart. Man and woman are biblically designed to meet each other’s legitimate needs and to address the physical deficits in one another. The Bible says that two individuals become one in marriage; one in the most intimate physical sense and one in several other ways as well.

Very often in marriage, husband and wife are so well connected and in tune with each other that they often know each other’s thoughts, beliefs, and desires. For instance, I can always tell when my husband has something troubling on his mind. I am so aware of his movements and characteristics that I can tell when something is amiss. When I hurt, he hurts; when he rejoices I rejoice too! We share a connectedness that goes beyond sharing a home and a bed; we are literally soul mates.

This is not unusual for a couple who has been married for a number of years. They are one in heart and soul, especially when they share a love of Christ through salvation. They can anticipate each other’s needs and actively work to place the other before themselves.

When children come along the family dynamic changes as both mother and father now include the needs and desires of the little ones along with those of their spouse. The greater share is taken by the wife and mother as she is the primary caregiver in the traditional family. She sets herself aside for the well-being of her child. Mothers are considered to be the nurturing parent and she is usually more in tune with the cries of the baby and the “language” of the toddler.

I think because of the unique physical relationship we share with our children as we provide food and shelter for them within our bodies we have a God-given understanding of them from even before they are born. Mothers will say they are aware of what the baby’s cries mean, what a certain gesture means, or a facial expression is communicating.

I am thankful that many Christian women have returned to the home and are fulfilling the biblical mandate of Titus 2:3-5:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. (NASB)

What is concerning to me is how these God-honoring attitudes and actions are being labeled as co-dependent and how women are being discouraged from a life of serving others in the name of “mental health!” I maintain that it is simply living the gospel to be selfless and to put others before self. In so doing, we are following the example of Christ and the other heroes of our faith who lived and died for the benefit of other people. There can be no higher calling than that.

Join the conversation

Is this yet another attack on biblical principles and the roles of women from those who would discount the Bible as relevant and applicable in today’s world? What do you think?

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About The Author

Julie Ganschow has been involved in Biblical Counseling and Discipleship for more than 20 years. She is passionate about heart change for life change.
Julie is a gifted counselor and teacher, has authored numerous books and materials for biblical counseling, and co-authored a biblical counseling training course. She is a featured contributor in GriefShare and a frequent retreat and conference speaker.
She is the founder and Director of Reigning Grace Counseling Center and Biblical Counseling for Women. She has been writing a daily blog on women’s counseling issues since 2008.
She holds an M.A. in Biblical Counseling, in addition to certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC). She also serves on the Counsel Board for the Biblical Counseling Coalition
She makes her home in Kansas City, Missouri with her wonderful husband Larry.
You can find her blog at bc4women.org and information about her ministries at rgcconline.org, and biblicacounselingforwomen.org

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1 Comment

Cindyl on 11/07/2017 at 8:28 pm

I have thought about this a lot because I have been in recovery for being codependent & see where you are coming from and loved what you had to say. From what I have been thinking is that codependent and selfless are 2 different things. And do not think it is an attack… I think men and women need to know when they are codependent- as everyone does have some codependent tendencies in them, not to say they are codependent. Codependency is not having healthy boundaries or a healthy self view. People pleasing to the extreme. Probably raised in an abusive or controlling home. And do not know how to love themselves. As the Bible says- love your neighbor as you love yourself. And I just heard today from a lady which I loved and will share… she said- we can’t give what we don’t have. We have to fill our cups and the overflow is for others, but whats in the cup is for ourselves. I agreed with that, because being codependent- you leave nothing for yourself. No thoughts, no nothing. All resources are depleted and you have nothing left to give. And thats not healthy. Codependent is not being selfless- because codependent is a sate of mind where you are worthless. While being selfless is being confident and extending that out to others when prompted. Its having boundaries because you know your worth and value.

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